Invest Lamar LLC Proposes 41 Energy-Efficient Homes for SE Paris

A new residential development proposed by Invest Lamar LLC would bring 41 energy-efficient single-family homes to a 5.1-acre site in the southeast Sycamore area of Paris, Texas. The project, led by developer Zachary Bergenholtz, carries an estimated investment of $10 million and targets a housing gap that has been years in the making.

The Paris City Council reviewed the proposal in March 2025, and the project is structured in phases: Phase 1 completion is targeted for early 2026, with full project delivery expected by 2027. The development is designed to address both the quantity and quality of housing stock in Lamar County, where inventory remains tight and new construction has lagged behind demand.

Energy efficiency as a selling point

Each home in the Invest Lamar development is planned to include energy-efficient windows, tankless water heaters, and modern insulation systems designed to reduce utility costs — a meaningful differentiator in a market where energy bills can be a significant portion of household expenses. The homes are being designed for first-time buyers and young families, an underserved segment in Paris where much of the existing housing stock is older and less efficient.

The site plan also includes a community park, a pond, and a walkable path connecting directly to the Northeast Texas Trail — a 65-mile paved trail system that runs from Paris to Texarkana and has become a quality-of-life amenity for residents and a draw for trail-oriented development.

Why Paris needs more housing

Paris and Lamar County face a measurable housing shortage. The city's rental vacancy rate sits at approximately 6%, below the national average, and new housing permits have not kept pace with the population and employment growth driven by investments from Huhtamaki, Amazon, Delco Trailers, and other employers. The median list price in Paris rose 8% year-over-year in 2025, and homes sold after an average of 69 days on market — a sign that demand is outstripping available inventory.

For commercial property investors, the housing shortage is a leading indicator. Workers drawn to Lamar County by manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare jobs need places to live. The faster housing supply catches up, the more stable the workforce becomes — and the stronger the demand for retail, services, and commercial space that supports a growing residential population.

The southeast corridor takes shape

The southeast Sycamore area has been identified by the City of Paris as a growth corridor, with available land and proximity to both the Northeast Texas Trail and US 82. The Invest Lamar development joins the approved 60-unit apartment complex and the Magnolia subdivision as part of a broader residential buildout that is reshaping the city's housing inventory. Each new development reinforces the commercial case for services, retail, and medical facilities in the surrounding areas — including properties along the Price Street corridor.